Multiple PhD and Postdoc Positions (2025–2029) in Human-Centered AI for Software Engineering

About AI4SE1DK Software engineering is vital to Denmark’s digital economy, powering innovation and public services. Yet, Danish organizations face challenges adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI) effectively, ensuring productivity, sustainability, and trust while reflecting core Danish values such as transparency, collaboration, and human-centered design.

AI4SE1DK (Human-Centered Adoption of AI for Software Engineering in Denmark) is a national initiative funded by Innovation Fund Denmark, uniting six leading Danish universities and prominent industry partners. From 2025 to 2029, the project aims to bridge the adoption gap by developing AI-driven methods, tools, and practices that center around people rather than technology. Key goals include:

• Closing the Adoption Gap: Practical guidance for integrating AI in real-world software engineering.
• Ensuring Tailored Trust: Domain-specific AI solutions with robust verification to guarantee reliability.
• National Impact: Reaching at least 10% of Denmark’s software industry through an extensive outreach strategy.

Consortium Partners

Universities: University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Aalborg University in Copenhagen (AAU), University of Copenhagen (UCPH), Aarhus University (AU), IT University of Copenhagen (ITU), and Danish Technical University (DTU).
Industry: Ericsson, Umbraco, DCR Solutions, Unik System Design, Systematic, Software Improvement Group (SIG), European Spallation Center (ESS), and Alexandra Institute.

Open Positions PhD and Postdoc positions are available across these research areas:

• Postdoc position: AI-Native-driven Agents to support the Management of Software Projects (AU/Ericsson) Contact: Prof. Emilia Mendes ([email protected]) or click on the following link to learn more and apply: https://www.au.dk/om/stillinger/job/post-doctoral-researcher-in-human-centered-ai-for-software-engineering-department-of-electrical-and-computer-engineering-aarhus-university
• PhD position: Hybrid-AI for Maintainable Model-Driven Software Engineering (KU/DCR Solutions) Contact: Prof. Thomas Hildebrandt ([email protected]): or click on the following link to learn more and apply: https://candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationInit.aspx/?cid=1307&departmentId=18970&ProjectId=164302&MediaId=5&SkipAdvertisement=false
• PhD position: AI Tailoring for Code Generation (SDU/Umbraco/Unik) Contact: Assoc. Prof. Thiago Rocha Silva ([email protected]): ): or click on the following link to learn more and apply:  https://fa-eosd-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1001/job/2892?lastSelectedFacet=CATEGORIES&selectedCategoriesFacet=300000002425892
• PhD position: Study on AI Adoption and Human Factors in AI Integration (ITU/AAU/ESS/Alexandra Institute) 
  • Contacts: Assoc. Prof. Daniel Russo ([email protected]) or click on the following link to learn more and apply for the PhD position: https://aau.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:827430/

Position Details for PhD positions (indicative, can vary from position to position)

• Start Date: Between August and December 2025 (according to mutual agreement)
• Duration: 36 months
• Funding: Fully funded, salary depending on seniority and institution ~30,000–37,000 DKK/month or ~4,000–5,000 EUR/month (including pension)

Position Details for PostDoc positions (indicative, can vary from position to position)

• Start Date: Between August and December 2025 (according to mutual agreement)
• Duration: 24 months
• Funding: Fully funded, salary depending on seniority and institution ~35,000–40,000 DKK/month or ~4,500–5,500 EUR/month (including pension)

Eligibility Criteria (indicative, can vary from position to position)

• Master’s degree in Software Engineering or a closely related field
• Strong motivation for interdisciplinary research in AI, software engineering, and human-centered design
• Excellent English proficiency

Desirable Skills (indicative, can vary from position to position)

• Familiarity with software engineering tools (coding assistants, version control, CI, etc.)
• Experience with Foundation Models, AI/ML models and programming
• Strong communication skills and readiness to collaborate across academia and industry

Key Responsibilities (indicative, can vary from position to position)

• Independent research leading to a PhD thesis
• Collaboration and secondments with industry partners
• Active dissemination of research outcomes

Application Process Deadline: See individual positions

Applications shall include (indicative, can vary from position to position):

• CV and cover letter
• Academic transcripts and diplomas
• Two reference contacts
• English proficiency certificate (if required)

Precise information is available per position. Please contact the relevant contact or, for general inquiries, reach out to the Scientific Director, Daniel Russo ([email protected]).

Work Locations Positions available at SDU, AAU, UCPH, AU, ITU, with industry collaborations including Ericsson, Umbraco, Unik, Systematic, SIG, DCR Solutions, ESS, and Alexandra Institute.

Join us in shaping Denmark’s leadership in responsible, sustainable, and human-centered AI for software engineering. We look forward to your application!

Application Instructions:

Postdoc position: AI-Native-driven Agents to support the Management of Software Projects – to apply click here.

PhD position: Hybrid-AI for Maintainable Model-Driven Software Engineering – to apply click here.

PhD position: AI Tailoring for Code Generation – to a apply click here.